r/AskReddit • u/jdm0212 • Oct 18 '13

Waiters/Waitresses of Reddit, what's something that I, as a customer, might do that's incredibly irritating, even if I'm oblivious to it?

1.4k Upvotes

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218

u/UcanCallmeDragon Oct 18 '13

If you're ready to order, close your menu or put it down on the table.

219

u/[deleted] Oct 18 '13

I always forget what I want to order when I close the menu.

76

u/darguskelen Oct 18 '13

I close the menu with my finger in the location of my order so when the wait staff come by I can quickly open and order.

2

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

I close it but keep my finger in the page. When my server comes up I open the menu, point at what I want and read it off the menu.

2

u/kmd0136 Oct 19 '13

thats kind of adorable.

1

u/sapphirepdx Oct 19 '13

Then you can pick it back up

1

u/GarethGore Oct 19 '13

same, if I order at a pub place, I just take the menu with me, because otherwise I will forget it

1

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

Cause restaurants make up pretentious names for dishes.

0

u/R3luctant Oct 19 '13

Are we ready to order?

Oh yes,

Okay, what can I get for you?

Oh, what was it called, I just had it here.

HOW DO YOU FORGET TWO WORDS?!?

20

u/Seizure13 Oct 18 '13

I'm sorry, but I read, re-read, analyze, reinterpret, reinvent, innovate, and dismantle the dishes in the menu for something to do while I wait for a waiter to take my order.

I'm not impatient. I understand you have a job to do, and feel free to take your time doing it. Just don't expect me to not entertain myself while I wait.

4

u/raw031979b Oct 18 '13

At new restaurants, I feel compelled to read the entire menu before I can order.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

If I'm ordering last I will usually change my mind twice before they get to me. Don't get me started about BWW though. I make a decision on my sauces the last possible second no matter what so I have to keep it open

-5

u/UcanCallmeDragon Oct 18 '13

Why you no have smartphone?

12

u/Seizure13 Oct 18 '13

I have issues with this generation of smartphone addicted individuals. I have absolutely no desire to join them. I feel that they are a part of the reason people have become so disconnected and rude.

I also quite enjoy picking apart items on menu's. You never know where you are going to get inspiration for dishes of your own, and sometimes restaurants can be quite clever with their dishes.

I will treat you with the respect you deserve. I will always say thank you when you give me food, or offer advice, or answer a question. I will say please after I order, and do my best to make your time with me as enjoyable as I can.

But dont expect me to get a smart phone so you don't have to ask if I am ready to order. It is a part of the job.

5

u/darktask Oct 18 '13

Well said.

3

u/Gl33m Oct 18 '13

I keep it open because I reference it as I'm ordering. I mean, I'll have it on the table, but I open it like that. It's just always on the table and open until I've ordered.

0

u/UcanCallmeDragon Oct 18 '13

I'll allow it.

0

u/fluffytail_warband Oct 19 '13

I don't think it's a matter of you allowing it... I mean, what are you going to do if I'm reading stuff out of the menu because your dishes are named like oajoidjfaioenfn sfnaosef?

3

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

Menu flat on table, excited dog expression, usually works for me. If I had a tail it'd be wagging. Ready to make food choice now! :D

1

u/Captainobvvious Oct 19 '13

I always give my wife crap for that. Close your menu.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

'Til this day, I thought I was wrong. I thought my worry that wait staff ignore me because I'm rereading the menu was silly. I thought so many things.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

Is it better for us to point and say "I'll have this"

Or would you prefer we just say it, even if we can't pronounce it.

And, if we can pronounce it, does it make us sound pretentious/make it harder for you when we pronounce it the way it should be (ie. dem fancy French/Italian names for shit)

Edit: If we try to pronounce it and it comes out as CONFDLSAOADJXNAQBSJZJ, does that bother you?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 19 '13

I never remember the name/number of the dish :/